Montréal, November 15, 2004 - Héma-Québec has completed the tour that took it to approximately 20 cities and towns throughout Québec. Through a series of events that were open to the public, Héma-Québec wanted to highlight the importance of the role played by local stakeholders in the organization of mobile blood drives and, on a greater scale, in the planning of the blood product supply.

During the recent regional public meetings that took place from January 21 to October 28, Dr. Francine Décary, President and Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of the Héma-Québec Board of Directors, stated that “knowing that someone needs blood every 80 seconds, we all, both individually and collectively, have a role to play to ensure the supply of sufficient quantities of blood products for the Québec people.” She added that “in order to fulfil its mission, Héma-Québec must be able to rely on our community partners.” Dr. Décary also took the opportunity to thank them for their ongoing efforts to maintain the collective blood reserve.

Representatives of Héma-Québec presented the organization to the participants, and provided an overview of the activities undertaken from 2002 to 2004 as well as the organization's major short-term projects. They also discussed measures to make people aware of the importance of giving blood and the conditions for a successful blood drive. Individuals representing the transfusion chain and, in particular, blood transfusion recipients of all ages were present, as was Ms. Hélène Darby, President of the Association des bénévoles du don de sang, providing testimonials to the importance of giving blood. Everyone insisted on the necessity for preparing the upcoming generation, in terms of both organizing committees and donors, given the aging of the population.

Any individual, company or organization interested in organizing a blood drive or participating as a volunteer or donor can contact Héma-Québec toll free at 1 888 666-HEMA (4362), or visit the Web site at www.hema-quebec.qc.ca.

Since its creation in September 1998, Héma-Québec has welcomed more than 1,800,000 donors at 12,000 blood drives organized in collaboration with its community partners across Québec. Last year alone, Héma-Québec delivered more than 400,000 blood products to hospitals to meet patients' needs.

Héma-Québec's mission is to efficiently provide adequate quantities of safe, optimal blood components, substitutes and human tissues to meet the needs of all Quebeckers; provide and develop expertise and services, along with specialized and innovative products in the fields of transfusion medicine and human tissue transplantation.